How much do roofers make in Florida in 2026?

The median roofer in Florida earns $47,590 a year, which works out to $22.88 an hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That's the midpoint — half of roofers in the state earn more, half earn less. If you're just starting out or working for a smaller outfit, expect pay closer to the 25th percentile at $38,040 annually ($18.29/hr). Experienced roofers, crew leads, and those working larger commercial projects tend to land at the 75th percentile: $57,660 a year, or $27.72 an hour. All figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025.

Florida is one of the busiest roofing markets in the country for a straightforward reason: the state gets hit hard. Hurricane season drives a near-constant cycle of repair, replacement, and new construction from the Panhandle all the way down to Miami-Dade. That sustained demand keeps roofing employment strong and puts upward pressure on wages, particularly after a major storm event. Roofers who can work fast, pass inspections on the first try, and handle the paperwork that comes with insurance claims are worth more to contractors than those who can't.

The spread between the bottom and top of the Florida wage range is about $19,600 a year — roughly $9.43 more per hour at the 75th percentile than at the 25th. That gap reflects real differences in skill, specialization, and the type of work being done. A roofer laying shingles on tract homes in a large production crew will typically earn less than someone doing built-up roofing, modified bitumen, or TPO membrane work on commercial buildings. Metal roofing is another specialty that commands a premium; the learning curve is steeper and the material costs mean contractors need workers who don't make expensive mistakes.

Geography matters inside Florida, too. The South Florida metro area — Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties — tends to push wages toward and above the 75th percentile because the cost of living is higher and storm-related demand is nearly year-round. The Tampa Bay and Orlando metros are strong mid-range markets. Rural North Florida and the Panhandle generally sit closer to the 25th percentile, though post-hurricane rebuilding work can temporarily spike local pay significantly.

Overtime is a major factor in what Florida roofers actually take home. Roofing is a physically demanding, weather-dependent trade, and after a storm, 50- to 60-hour weeks are common. At the median straight-time rate of $22.88/hr, a 10-hour overtime week adds roughly $343 in gross pay (assuming time-and-a-half). Workers who log consistent overtime through busy season can land annual earnings well above their base percentile position.

No union scale data is available for roofers in Florida through current sources. The majority of roofing work in the state is performed by non-union contractors, and wage setting happens through employer pay scales and market competition rather than collective bargaining agreements. That means your individual negotiating position — your certification level, your reputation for showing up and passing inspection — matters more here than in heavily unionized trades.

The Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board requires a separate roofing contractor license to pull permits and run a roofing crew, but journeyman roofers working under a licensed contractor do not need a state license to work. Apprentices who complete a formal program — typically two to three years through a trade association or local training provider — generally move into the $22–$25/hr range faster than those who learn entirely on the job. Certifications from manufacturers for specific roofing systems (certain metal panel systems, single-ply membranes, or tile work) can also translate directly into higher hourly rates, since contractors need certified installers to offer manufacturer warranties to their customers.

Florida's heat and humidity add a real physical cost to roofing work. Experienced workers who can maintain production through summer heat and pass Florida Building Code inspections consistently are genuinely hard to replace, and the wage data reflects that reality at the top of the range.